01 Jun What happens after Spiritual Resurrection?

Jesus’ resurrection gives every person the opportunity to say “Yes” to Jesus and repent of their sins. Christ gives us—each of us—HOPE for each day as well as a solid assurance of our future. When we decide to follow Christ, Romans says “We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life.” Romans 6:4 NIV

As I was thinking about what it is like to love this new life, I thought about one of my favorite hymns “Blessed Assurance” by Fanny Crosby. Fanny was born March 24, 1820 but six weeks later a medical procedure left the infant Crosby blind. In 1873, she penned “Blessed Assurance.” What a great song about knowing Christ and living life to the fullness in Him. I just want to belt it out with full gusto that greatly annoys my wife Darcy!

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood.

Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long;
This is my story, this is my song,
Praising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest,
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
Watching and waiting, looking above,
Filled with His goodness, lost in His love.

As I read through the song I reflect, “Am I really living, acting and breathing in the assurance that is referred to in the verses and the refrain?” Is, “Perfect Submission, Perfect Delight”, the daily headline in “My story”?

“All is at rest” is not a typical phrase that I sing! What would that look like in my life? Even in the best situations, stress is prevalent. Like on vacations; tires go flat driving down the road, “full” hotels remove your reservation and Christmas dinner ends up being Mac N Cheese and pineapple! (True Stories)

I wish the lyrics of this beautiful song were my daily story, but it is not that way all the time. I believe this song. I trust in Him for all these wonderful things. But if this internal reality played out externally, then things should be different in my life. My focus would be on different things, I would be challenged in different areas and I might need to let go of some personal aspirations. Although this song is my desire since my spiritual resurrection, in reality I feel that I live better aligned with the text of my favorite scripture in Isaiah 40:31 and the two verses that precede it.

29 He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.30 Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;31 but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

My strength wanes—I cannot do it all myself! I try to do it all at times, but that does not play out well. Look at some key words in these verses, “Weary, Weak, Tired, Weary (again), Stumble and Fall”, I hear these types of words many times from myself and with friends.

But then I get to the word “HOPE”!! All the words following start to change my being and my perspective, “Renew, Soar, Run and Walk.” There is HOPE!

When my hope is in Him and not Myself. The resurrected Lord—He proves himself through me daily. My strength will be renewed, and with that strength I will not stumble and fall. He will give me exactly what I need for each day; but like the mana that the Israelites collected, I need to daily gather what I need from Him. With the tomb empty, I can live a “Resurrected Life”. I live my new life with blessed assurance deep down, but daily I remain focusing my HOPE in Him.